Belgian Temp Agency Encore Plus Opens Doors for Seniors
A new temporary employment agency in Tournai, Belgium, is turning the traditional recruitment model on its head — by exclusively targeting workers aged 55 and older. Called “Encore Plus” (“Even More”), the agency has already registered over 1,200 candidates in its first month of operation, signaling a strong demand among retirees and seniors who want to remain active in the workforce.
Founded by two young entrepreneurs — Quentin Vallez, 29, and Nathan D’Hont, 30 — the agency is described as a first in Wallonia. It emerged from a simple observation: older job seekers were being systematically overlooked by traditional temp agencies.
“In our circle, older or retired people had difficulty finding a job in traditional temp agencies,” Vallez told RTBF. “Often, they received no response. In the forms, they sometimes couldn’t even enter an age beyond retirement age.”
A Growing Demographic
The launch of Encore Plus comes at a pivotal moment for Belgium’s labor market. According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, the employment rate for people aged 55-64 has more than doubled from 26.3% in 2000 to 61.5% in 2025. Meanwhile, the legal retirement age rose from 65 to 66 in 2025 as part of broader pension reforms.
Belgium has set an ambitious target of an 80% employment rate by 2029, which would require approximately 530,000 additional workers. With many sectors facing recruitment difficulties, the senior workforce represents an increasingly vital pool of talent.
More Than Just a Paycheck
For many retirees, the motivation to return to work goes beyond financial necessity. Daniel Sauvage, 64, a retired candidate from Chièvres who registered with Encore Plus, described the emotional pull of staying engaged.
“Retirement, you think it’s good, you’ll be able to enjoy it,” Sauvage told RTBF. “But there comes a time, when you’ve had your morning coffee and read your paper, after fixing this, painting that… You think: what do we do today? You feel like you’re not useful for much anymore.”
Vallez confirmed this sentiment: “It’s above all the desire to stay active, maintain a social life and age better.” However, he acknowledged that supplementing pensions is also a factor, as the cost of living continues to rise.
Digital-First, Age-Smart
In a deliberate move to counter stereotypes about older workers and technology, Encore Plus has adopted a 100% digital recruitment process. Initial interviews are conducted entirely online — a strategy that both signals tech-savviness and streamlines operations.
“One of our objectives is to fight against these preconceived ideas, and highlight the strengths of our candidates,” Vallez explained. He noted that older workers bring reliability, autonomy, and conflict-resolution skills that junior profiles often lack. They are also more available for early morning shifts, holiday periods, and other hard-to-fill slots.
Sauvage pushed back against the tech stereotype: “Despite my 64 years, I’m very connected, comfortable with IT. Whether you ask me to make an Excel spreadsheet or use ChatGPT…”
Early Traction and Ambitions
After approximately one month of activity, Encore Plus reports “a good dozen” job offers specifically for older candidates. Some companies are proactively approaching the agency, convinced by the concept. The agency has already made its first placement.
Currently active throughout Wallonia, Encore Plus plans to expand to Brussels. The candidate pool is diverse, including former independents, teachers, managers, and executives. The agency receives 30 to 40 new registrations daily.
A Broader Context
The initiative highlights a significant regional divide in Belgium’s flexi-job market. According to data from Acerta, one in five flexi-jobs is now held by someone over 65 — a 27% increase year-on-year. However, the distribution is heavily skewed: 195,009 flexi-jobbers in Flanders versus just 34,413 in Wallonia, as reported by Trends-Tendances.
Age discrimination remains a significant barrier. According to UNIA, Belgium’s independent public institution fighting discrimination, age is the second most common grounds for discrimination. Encore Plus explicitly aims to combat these biases.
What’s Next
As Belgium’s population ages and labor markets tighten, niche agencies like Encore Plus may become increasingly important. The concept raises intriguing questions: Will traditional temp agencies follow suit? Can the model expand beyond Wallonia? And most fundamentally — is this the beginning of a broader redefinition of retirement itself?
For now, Daniel Sauvage is taking a patient approach. “I’m waiting, without pressure. It’s not vital. And I won’t accept just anything either,” he said with a smile. “I mainly wanted to say: here I am, I’m available. We’ll see.”
La DH/Les Sports+ also covered the story, highlighting the agency as a first in Wallonia that aims to meet business needs while valuing senior experience.